Driving this long weekend? Be prepared for smoke, animals and closures
Officials are asking motorists to be aware of wildfires and check DriveBC before hitting the road
Summer driving is usually straightforward, but with so many wildfires burning in the province officials are warning motorists to be aware of hazards they may run into as the B.C. Day long weekend comes to a close.
"With all the fires burning across B.C. it's likely you will encounter smoky conditions," said Ed Miska, executive director of engineering with the Ministry of Transportation.
"The situation can change quickly as we've seen throughout the week with small fires cropping up, resulting from time to time with small highway closures."
Miska says drivers need to check the DriveBC website and @DriveBC on twitter for the latest closures and detours.
In addition, drivers are advised to:
- Turn on headlights in smoke so you can see better ahead and so motorists behind you can see your car more easily.
- Watch for livestock and wildlife. Wildfires have pushed more of both onto roads.
- Watch for RCMP, emergency and maintenance vehicles stopped on roads and remember to slow down and move over to pass.
- Do not drive with locked brakes, dragging sway bars or safety chains. Resulting sparks could start a fire.
- Pack enough food and water for all the people and pets in your car and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.
Meanwhile, provincial fire crews are expected to get more help this week from international firefighters and support staff.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says about 400 personnel from New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and the U.S. will arrive this week.
The cost of the international assistance will be covered by the province, which has already spent $230 million on fire suppression this year.
B.C. has seen nearly 900 fires char an estimated 59-hundred square kilometres — an area about the size of Prince Edward Island — since April 1.
With files from Canadian Press